Language Immersion Courses in Portugal

Portuguese is the language of Portugal, Brazil and several countries in Africa and Asia, and learning it in Portugal means learning European Portuguese, the variety spoken in Lisbon and Porto. Language schools in Portugal teach adults who move to the country for work, students preparing for a Portuguese university, Erasmus students and people who simply want an intensive course combined with a stay by the sea.

SpainExchange lists nine language schools in Portugal. Five are in Lisbon, two in Porto and one each in Cascais and Oeiras, on the coast west of Lisbon. Some teach only Portuguese to foreigners; others are general language schools that also teach English and other languages to Portuguese students.

Types of language schools

• Schools specialising in Portuguese for foreigners, such as CIAL, founded in 1959, with schools in Lisbon and Faro, and Fast Forward and Oficina de Português in Porto
• General language schools that also run Portuguese courses, such as ILO in Oeiras, which has taught languages since 1971 and offers European Portuguese for foreigners from beginner level to C1, and International House Portugal, in the country since 1963 and part of the International House World Organisation, founded in London in 1953
• Online options: Ciberescola da Língua Portuguesa, run by the Associação Aprendo Português, is an online platform of interactive resources and courses in Portuguese as a non-native language
• University courses: the Universidade de Lisboa offers Erasmus+ students at its schools a semester course in Portuguese as a foreign language for 75 euros, worth 6 ECTS credits when passed

Courses, levels and certificates

Courses follow the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2, and schools usually start with a level test; ILO, for example, offers a free one. At CIAL, a typical group course has four lessons of 50 minutes a day, a maximum of eight students and lasts from 1 to 36 weeks; students must be at least 18, beginners start on fixed dates and other levels can start any Monday. Besides general courses, CIAL offers Portuguese combined with surfing, volunteering or a professional internship, business Portuguese, Brazilian and African Portuguese and teacher training.

The official exams of Portuguese as a foreign language are run by CAPLE at the Universidade de Lisboa: CIPLE, DEPLE, DIPLE, DAPLE and DUPLE. The CIPLE corresponds to level A2 and is held in May, July and November; the DIPLE corresponds to B2, the level that allows candidates to work in Portuguese and follow academic courses. Anyone aged 16 or over can sit the general exams.

Recognition and quality

There is no single accreditation for language schools in Portugal, so look at what each school states. CIAL, for example, states that it was recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education in 1969, is a school recommended by the Instituto Camões (the official body for the teaching of Portuguese worldwide), is certified as a training centre by DGERT, the national body for vocational training, and has been an accredited member of EAQUALS since 2016. International House Portugal schools have been authorised Cambridge English exam centres since 2011.

Costs and accommodation

Prices depend on the intensity and length of the course. At CIAL, group courses start at 299 euros, with no enrolment fee and the textbook included. Schools that welcome students from abroad often arrange accommodation: CIAL offers homestays, shared apartments, a student residence and hotels or hostels, plus a transfer service.

How to choose a language school in Portugal

• Goal: everyday Portuguese, an exam such as the CIPLE or DIPLE, or a level for university study
• Variety of Portuguese: most schools teach European Portuguese; check if you also need Brazilian Portuguese
• Intensity and class size: lessons per day and the maximum number of students per group
• Location: Lisbon and Porto for city life, Faro or the Lisbon coast for a quieter stay
• Accommodation and age limits: some schools accept adults only

Frequently asked questions

Which Portuguese exam should I take?

The CAPLE exams of the Universidade de Lisboa range from the CIPLE (level A2) to the DUPLE. The DIPLE (B2) is the level at which a learner can work in Portuguese and follow academic courses.

How much does a Portuguese course in Portugal cost?

It depends on the school and the length of the course. At CIAL in Lisbon and Faro, group courses start at 299 euros.

Can I learn Portuguese online with a school in Portugal?

Yes. Ciberescola da Língua Portuguesa runs online courses, and several schools, including CIAL, also offer online classes.